Berroco Sheehan Mittens Knitting Pattern

Berroco Sheehan Mittens

What is Being Made

The Berroco Sheehan mittens are a pair of classic hand coverings designed by Brenda York. These mittens are worked in a traditional construction method and finished to approximately 8 inches around the hand with a total length of 10½ inches, making them a versatile size suitable for most wearers.

Knitting Techniques

The Sheehan mittens are constructed using a bottom-up seamed approach, with the main body worked flat on straight needles before being seamed together. This technique allows knitters to work the majority of the mitten on straight needles, which many find more manageable than working in the round from the start. The thumb is worked separately using a waste yarn technique, where stitches are held on waste yarn during the main mitten construction and then picked up and worked in the round using double-pointed needles to complete the thumb opening.

Stitches Used

The mittens feature stockinette stitch (St st) as the primary stitch pattern, which creates a smooth, classic fabric. The pattern notation indicates that stockinette stitch is maintained consistently throughout the mitten body and thumb sections, with knit stitches worked on every round when working the thumb in the round on double-pointed needles.

Materials and Yarn

These mittens are designed to be made with Berroco Inca Tweed yarn, a 100-gram hank weight. The pattern calls for one hank each of two coordinating colorways: #8915 Andes (A) and #8903 Inti (B), allowing for color work or two-tone construction options.

Needles and Tools

• One 16-inch circular knitting needle in size 10½ (6.50 mm)
• Straight knitting needles in size 10 (6.00 mm)
• One set of four double-pointed knitting needles (dpn) in size 10½ (6.50 mm)
• Stitch marker
• Waste yarn in a color different from the main yarns
• Tapestry needle for finishing and weaving in ends

Gauge and Skill Level

The pattern is rated as Intermediate skill level. The gauge is 16 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches when working stockinette stitch on the circular needle. Knitters are strongly advised to check gauge before beginning to ensure proper fit, as gauge variations can significantly affect the finished measurements of the mittens.

Pattern Details

The thumb finishing involves removing waste yarn from a set of held stitches (5 stitches from the lower edge and 5 stitches from the upper edge, totaling 10 stitches) and dividing them onto three double-pointed needles. The thumb is then worked in stockinette stitch in the round for 2 inches. The pattern is completed by breaking off yarn, threading the end through a tapestry needle, drawing it through all remaining stitches on the needles, and pulling tightly to secure the top of the thumb.